Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 02, 2012	Oct. 24, 2012
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	CHEESECAKE FACTORY INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000887596
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 02, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-01
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		53,672,626
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3